The John Murray Show

Music

League of Legends is one of the most popular online computer gamesin the world, played by 50 million people every day & the voice you hear on the soundtrack to the virtual gaming experience is that of Sligo native, LauraConway. Laura joins Miriam on the line from Sligo this morning.

Miriams first guest this morning is arguably Ireland's greatest songwriter, responsible for many of the biggest hits of Christy Moore, Mary Black, Mary Coughlan, Westlife & the Corrs, to name but a few.In studio with Miriam we have Jimmy MacCarthy for a chat & performance.

Jimmy embarks on a Nationwide Tour throughout October 2013- further details on gig venues & dates go to Jimmy's website.

After 26 years it looks like chart veteran & father of 5, Finbar Furey could once again reach the heady heights of the pop charts at the age of67! It follows his appearance on the TV show The Hit & he is now involved in a musical battle with exWestlife singer Shane Filan, for the coveted number one spot. Finbar joins Miriamon the line this morning.

Since 2012, when their song Remember Whenwas used in an iconic TV ad for Failte Ireland, Dublin twins, twin sisters Ellie and LouiseMacNamara have been very busy indeed. Next week, they're heading off - with Maria Doyle Kennedy - on a tour of four country estates, and in September they'll be releasing their new single, Waiter.

The Heathers are in studio with Miriam to perform their new single 'Waiter' & for information on their gig dates go to www.heathersmusic.net

Kathryn's guest in studio is someone who started their career in journalism some 50 years ago, reviewing the pop records for 'TheDancing News' paper run by Albert Reynolds! Fr. Brian D'Arcy selects some of his favourite music & takes us through his life, from his first day at secondary school to becoming a priest & a journalist.

In studio with Kathryn this morning we have two great musicians, JerryFish & Cathy Davy with a performance & chat. Jerry is accompanied by guitarist Grum to perform 'Barefoot & Free' which is a new single & the very first of the new collaboration with R.S.A.G. (Rarely Seen Above the Ground) who features on drums. Cathy joins Jerry Fish at the ElectricPicnic & performs a Randy Newman's song, 'Simon Smith & his Amazing Dancing Bear' in studio this morning.

In a few minutes we'll be talking to a former Taoiseach about his passion for Bob Dylan music but first in studio with Kathryn is Tony Clayton Lea who writes for the Irish Times.

'Aside from, possibly, the back catalogue of The Beatles, the songs of Bob Dylan have been squinted at & analysed more intensively than any others in pop music. It is testament to their enduring eloquence, wit and insight that much of Dylan’s 1960s material remains such a puzzle.'

Tony wrote that following the release on Dylan’s last album - The Bootleg Series No 9 & ‘The Bootleg Series, Vol 10 - Another Self Portrait’is released today. Tony joins Kathryn to review the album & look at Dylan’s enduring impact and appeal & we are also joined on the line by former Taoiseach, John Bruton, a big Dylan fan!

Lead guitarist with The Pogues & founding member of The Radiatorsfrom Space, had been given the all clear after five years battling cancer but it has returned & it is inoperable. Friends & collaborators have come together for a musical testimonial. In the great tradition of football testimonials, the event takes place this Saturday night August 24th at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin.

We now have a band fronted by a woman who used to play the ukulele to patients at a psychiatric clinic in San Francisco where she worked. Angie now plays the ukulele in a jazz, blues & country group called 'Minnie & The Illywhackers'.

Minnie and the Illywackers play the NCH on Thursday & they’re playing the Ukullooey Festival in Dun Laoghaire on Sunday.

Twenty-four years ago Madonna was knocked-off the top of the UK album charts by my next guests - Deacon Blue, at the height of their success, the band's singers broke one of the sacred rules of rock & roll & married each other! Ricky Ross & Lorraine McIntosh, from Deacon Blue speak to Kathryn.